Ron Robinsons Beard

Could actually be a showcase start for Peralta. Wouldn't surprise me in the least if he was part of a package for a veteran starter tomorrow.

The only issue with that is that is leaves a hole the size of Nebraska at 3B next year.

I think I would do this. I'm probably committing blasphemy but I am not as high on Peralta as the board is generally. Part of me almost wonders if tonight's game in LA is Freddy Peralta showcase game. I think he is likely to be the one traded if they acquire any of the non-rental starters available. I agree with your assessment on Peralta. He is certainly a nice arm to have, but I think he tops out as a back of the rotation starter or pen arm. If he pitches well against the Dodgers tonight, they very well could be dealing him at peak value if he goes tomorrow.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/07/blue-jays-trying-trade-roberto-osuna-rumors.html Obvious red flags abound, but this may be an opportunity to grab another shut-down reliever who is both cost controlled and controllable for several more seasons at a discounted price. It would be a major outside-the-box move, but adding Osuna to an already great bullpen would be an interesting move.

- I can't see the Shaw at 2B thing lasting any longer than the end of this season. The only thing that may change that would be a Moose re-sign. I know there were rumors of the team being interested in him this spring as he was languishing on the market. Of course, he he goes off the next couple months and helps carry this team to the playoffs, I imagine he'll have a lot of interest.

Nationals are in a tough spot. They could either make a few "go for it" moves and hope they catch fire, or they could decide to sell and restock the system. They have a lot of ground to make up, though, and would look pretty bad if they trade a boatload for Realmuto, only to fall short this season and lose a bunch of guys in the offseason.

In Soviet Milwaukee ... Second base plays you!

Well, this aged well. It is a good thing I don't make the decisions. At least I didn't dig my heels in on this one as much as trwi7 did. Wow!

He had a couple meh starts in July, but other than that he's been pretty dang effective this year. I don't know why they'd be looking to limit his starts. He's been arguably the team's top starter this season.

My issue with a guy like Gonzales is that pretty much every pitcher in the rotation is Gonzales. Who does he replace? I think Stearns made it pretty clear that they weren't going to acquire a starter unless he was an obvious upgrade over what they already had available. I think I'd rather just give Woodruff a shot in the rotation over trading assets for a guy like Gonzales.

I think that the Rays will want Nottingham, Ray, probably either Burnes or Peralta and likely another high ranking guy as well. For me, Burnes would be off the table. He's looked dang near dominant out of the pen, with better stuff than what I gave him credit for. I'd probably do this deal for Archer: Ray/Nottingham/Peralta/Carmona That deal is going to sting, as Ray is playing like the stud prospect he is, Nottingham is the catcher of the future, Freddy has looked good and is so young, and Carmona is an uber-talented young SS. But you have to give value to get it.

This is really tough. I know if I were calling the shots, I'd be trying to grab someone to fill out the rotation. But I'm not, and I swung and missed big time in early spring predicting that the team was "sure" to acquire another starter. One thing I do know, though, is that they aren't just going to go out and get a guy for the sake of getting a guy. He's going to have to be an upgrade over what they have available. Are Tyson Ross or Matt Harvey upgrades? That is pretty debatable. I'd say Wheeler would be a slight upgrade. There are a host of other guys out there that would be upgrades, but would be costly. Here's a list of who I think the team might try to grab, from most likely to least likely: 1. Chris Archer - Rays - Personally I think the Padres talk is 100% smoke. And if it's true that they want a young catcher and power-hitting outfielder, they can send Nottingham and Ray as centerpieces, and still possibly hang on to their top 3 guys. 2. Michael Fullmer - Tigers - I love his potential and control. He is going to cost a lot, but this is an arm that can possibly anchor the staff for the next 4 years. 3. Kevin Gausman - Orioles - It appeared they were getting close on a trade with the Orioles a few days ago, and I wouldn't doubt if Gausman was the target. Really, really good stuff, and if you get him with a good pitching coach, he could be a stud. 4. Aaron Sanchez - Blue Jays - Always seems to be hurt, but when healthy, he has ace-caliber stuff. I'd love to see what they could get out of him. 5. Marcus Stroman - Blue Jays - Another guy with great stuff who has battled injury. Still, he is better than anything the Brewers have if healthy. 6. Zach Wheeler - Mets - He seems to have turned a corner, and has some control. Is he enough of an upgrade? 7. Kyle Gibson - Twins - Decent stuff. He isn't going to scare anyone, but is a good, solid, durable starter. 8. Jordan Zimmerman - Tigers - The Tigers would have to eat some of that huge contract, but I think Zim is the type of guy that could come in and pitch very well. 9. Jacob deGrom - Mets - Pitching like a Cy Young candidate, and the cost is going to reflect that. I can't see the team cleaning out the top of the system, but it seems as soon as I think I have Stearns pegged, he does something to surprise me (not grabbing a starter in spring, keeping 32 first basemen, trading for Moustakas) 10. Madison Bumgarner - Giants - The Giants have to see the writing on the wall soon that they need to rebuild. They could trade Bumgarner and get a good start. I don't think he'd be as expensive as deGrom, but it'll be close. Just not sure if Stearns is willing to pay up for an ace.

I didn’t love the move at first either, but at this point we’ve kind of spoken our piece on it. I think it’s worth seeing how things play out before deeming the move a failure (or a success). Exactly. They guys that made that decision know a lot more than we do. Let it play out before driving it into the ground. I'll think its a positive move until proven otherwise.

You've made your point. Repeatedly. And you really aren't really adding anything by repeating the same thing (I hate this move) over and over.

Orlando Arcia has two nice hits yesterday, and has is average up to .200 again. It's gonna keep climbing, too. Who would have thought that Arcia and Travis Shaw were going to end up being our stud middle infield acquisitions?

Two now... Both Lopez and Phillips were on, now Miller DFAed. We have two openings... Hiura and Roegner? No ... just ... no

Clancy, stop trying to trade Arcia. He is not going anywhere, case closed.

Well, pretty safe to say they aren't standing pat. What they have done, though, is manage to pick up a couple big potential contributors for guys that were marginal future contributors.

Whatever happens, this team is going to be dang fun to watch the rest of the year, that's for sure. I'm bummed to lose both Phillips and Lopez, as I really liked them both. They were both blocked here, though, and losing them opens up two more 40-man spots this offseason.

Shaw in at 3B now, so I'm guessing he's not going anywhere. Was just odd that he was sitting tonight, then they trade for Moose.

Is Shaw really gonna play 2b, or is he involved in a deal to go somewhere?

Part of me wonders if Shaw is involved in a deal for a pitcher.

Gulp

Why? The unearned run? Knebel not even to 20 pitches yet. Barring more trouble, he will be available tomorrow. As I said. Knebel will be available tomorrow. Well later today actually LOL

Not gonna happen.